AS agricultural businesses seek to grow and expand, it's worth asking: Who is it being done for?

Keeping family in focus was one of the themes to emerge from the Agforum 2019 at Bundaberg last month where a line-up of speakers delivered information on how innovation could help agribusinesses "go global".

Held at CQ University, the half-day session covered a range of topics including export market opportunities, attracting investment and demystifying blockchain.

But the sessions on succession planning and business start-ups seemed to resonate the most for many attendees.

Macadamias Australia and Farmfresh Fine Foods was established in its earliest forms by Mrs Gerry's parents and has since grown into a major horticulture agribusiness.

BALANCE: Family business expert, Susanne Bransgrove, Liquid Gold Consultants, says there is no point pouring everything into a family business if the family is neglected.

Several years ago it was approached by a Canadian superannuation fund to sell which forced the family to sit down and discuss the options.

The decision was made to maintain it as a family business which meant a shift in how things were run.

The company now has a board of directors with an external chairman and director, plus an annual family assembly to connect all family members, discuss business and share views.

They also created a family charter.

"In our family business, family is most important. At the end of the day, everyone belongs," Mrs Gerry said.

"Even if you're not involved, there is a responsibility to be informed as a shareholder. There is no obligation on any of the next generation to come into the business but at the end of the day, everyone still belongs whether they are part of the business or not."

Mrs Gerry said in the early stages of setting up the new structure, a lot of time was spent on family values.